Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat are both off to incredible starts to their 2023-24 campaign, and the skilled forwards have a chance to keep the positive momentum going when the Detroit Red Wings host the Winnipeg Jets.
Larkin and DeBrincat sit second and third, respectively, in league scoring behind Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils entering Thursday’s action. Larkin is averaging two points per game and is riding a seven-game point streak to begin the season. In fact, he has multiple points in four straight games and three points in three of his past four. Meanwhile, DeBrincat leads all players in goals with nine through his first seven games as a member of the Red Wings.
Suffice it to say any fantasy hockey fans and/or bettors that have been leaning on this Detroit duo are undoubtedly enjoying a hot start to the prop bet and DFS seasons.
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Larkin leads the NHL with 10 power-play points, seven of which are assists, and he has at least three shots on goal in all but one game this season. Larkin and DeBrincat also have a share of the NHL lead with three power-play goals apiece.
Here are Larkin’s prop lines vs. WPG via Sports Interaction:
Anytime goal: +165 | Anytime assist: -115
Points: Over 0.5 (-238) | Under 0.5 (+175)
Shots: Over 2.5 (-175) | Under 2.5 (+135)
Power-play points: Over 0.5 (+150) | Under 0.5 (-200)
DeBrincat missed Wednesday’s practice but returned to the ice Thursday morning and has the shortest anytime goal odds for any player on his team. Despite averaging more than a goal per game so far, DeBrincat has fewer shots than Larkin but is producing at an insane rate. A 39.1 shooting percentage won’t be sustainable for much longer.
Here are DeBrincat’s prop lines vs. WPG via Sports Interaction:
Anytime goal: +140 | Anytime assist: +135
Points: Over 0.5 (-161) | Under 0.5 (+120)
Shots: Over 2.5 (-154) | Under 2.5 (+115)
Power-play points: Over 0.5 (+210) | Under 0.5 (-285)
The total goals prop for Winnipeg at Detroit is set at 6.5 with a slight lean on the over, which isn’t surprising considering the Red Wings lead all teams by averaging 4.86 goals per game. The Jets rank 11th with 3.33 goals per game.
Connor Hellebuyck, who was seen in the starters’ crease during Winnipeg’s morning skate, is expected to be between the pipes for the Jets. This should be a tough test for the Detroit duo. Hellebuyck has won three of his past four and allowed two goals in each of his past two starts, a 3-2 win over Edmonton and a 4-2 win over St. Louis. He is 5-4-1 with a .904 save percentage and 3.00 GAA against the Red Wings in his career.
Here are Hellebuyck’s prop lines vs. DET via Sports Interaction:
Total Saves: Over 26.5 (-110) | Under 26.5 (-120)
Goals Against: Over 2.5 -125 | Under 2.5 (-105)
Shutout: Yes (+1050) | No (-5000)
There is plenty to choose from for NHL fans Thursday with 11 games on the schedule, but with that in mind here are a couple of other notable Thursday matchups accompanied by some prop odds:
MAKAR VS. PENGUINS
It’s usually the Sidney Crosby vs. Nathan MacKinnon matchup, superstar centres with a Nova Scotia connection, that receives the bulk of attention whenever the Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins link up. It could be slightly different when these teams meet Thursday in Pittsburgh, though.
Cale Makar is tied for the NHL lead in points by a defenceman with three goals and six assists through six games, putting him on pace to be a point-per-game or better player for a fifth consecutive season. One surprising trend throughout Makar’s young career is his lack of production when facing the Penguins.
In five career games against Pittsburgh, the 2022 Norris and Conn Smythe winner has one assist and 14 shots on goal while averaging 25:17 in ice-time against Pittsburgh. They are one of five teams against which Makar has not yet scored a goal and one of only two teams Makar has failed to get at least three points against.
Here are Makar’s prop lines vs. PIT via Bet365:
Anytime goal: +240 | Anytime assist: -140
Points: Over 0.5 (-230) | Under 0.5 (+165)
Shots: Over 2.5 (-140) | Under 2.5 (+100)
Power-play points: Over 0.5 (+155) | Under 0.5 (-210)
Makar’s history facing Pittsburgh suggests there could be value on betting his under points, however his start to this season and overall talent is why earning at least one point is more than a two-to-one favourite.
The Avalanche are one of three remaining undefeated teams at the top of the standings, while the Penguins are 2-4 and currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference.
GOALLESS GAUDREAU VS. CANADIENS
Johnny Gaudreau is one of five forwards with more than 20 shots on goal who has yet to score his first of the season. The forward has never gone goalless through his first seven games of the season. His former Calgary Flames teammate Matthew Tkachuk leads all goalless players with 28 shots, but he and the Florida Panthers aren’t on the schedule Thursday — they return to action Saturday at home versus the Seattle Kraken — so we’ll know by the weekend if Tkachuk remains alone at the top.
Gaudreau and his Columbus Blue Jackets roll into Montreal as slight underdogs against the Canadiens. Gaudreau, who has three assists in six games so far this season, has scored twice in 12 career games at the Bell Centre. He had zero goals and one assists in three games against Montreal last season, his first with the Blue Jackets.
Here are Gaudreau’s prop lines vs. MTL via Bet365:
Anytime goal: +170 | Multiple goals: +1200
Points: Over 0.5 (-250) | Under 0.5 (+175)
Assists: Over 0.5 (-120) | Under 0.5 (-120)
Shots: Over 3.5 (+120) | Under 3.5 (-160)
Power-play points: Over 0.5 (+160) | Under 0.5 (-220)
Nazem Kadri (22), Scott Laughton (22) and Mikael Backlund (21) are the other goalless forwards with more than 20 shots.
Kadri, Backlund and the Flames host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Kadri’s anytime goal odds via DraftKings are +200 and Backlund’s are +275. Laughton has +330 anytime goal odds via DraftKings as his Philadelphia Flyers host the Minnesota Wild.
(Betting odds above as of Thursday afternoon and subject to change.)
